Pakistan’s Sharif Urges UN Chief to Act Against Militants Operating from Afghanistan
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for “decisive and verifiable” action against groups he said are based in Afghanistan and are spreading security threats beyond the country, during a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
According to a statement from the Pakistani prime minister’s office, Sharif said in the meeting that a “peaceful and stable” Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s interest, while also expressing concern over what he described as “Afghanistan-based terrorism.”
The statement said the two sides also discussed a number of regional and international issues, and that Sharif praised Guterres’ role in supporting multilateralism, dialogue, international law and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
The Pakistani prime minister also addressed the Indus Waters Treaty between Pakistan and India, saying it is a binding international agreement and that, in his view, India’s unilateral decision to suspend it is not legally justifiable.
Meanwhile, Antonio Guterres also met Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, on Wednesday. Pakistan’s military said the meeting covered the regional security situation, regional stability, the Kashmir dispute and what it described as “Afghanistan-based terrorism.”
These positions come as tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have risen in recent weeks. Pakistan carried out air strikes in the Kunar and Helmand provinces on Oct. 1; the United Nations said at least 10 civilians, most of them children, were killed in the attacks.
The Taliban administration had strongly condemned the strikes at the time.
